Rockwall parks board approves Erwin Farms master and preliminary plats, accepts nearly $398,000 in park fees

The Rockwall City Parks and Recreation Board approved a master plat and preliminary plat for the Erwin Farms subdivision and accepted park-related fees totaling $397,995.72 at its June 11, 2025 meeting.

Parks and recreation staff told the board the applicant — represented by Cornwall Engineering Inc. on behalf of property owner John Arnold of Erwin Farms SF Limited — submitted a preliminary plat for a first phase of 22 single-family lots and a master plat covering 122 residential lots on about 98.19 acres identified as a portion of Tract 4 of the JM Gas survey, abstract 88.

The board voted 6–0, with one member absent, to accept cash in lieu of land and pro rata equipment fees and to approve the master plat and associated parks and open-space plan.

Staff recommendation and why it matters

A parks staff presentation said the developer elected to pay cash in lieu of dedicating a public park because the subject property lies adjacent to Park District 26, which already contains a neighborhood park (Park at Alma Williams) directly east of the subdivision. Parks staff recommended accepting the cash-in-lieu and pro rata equipment fees and using those funds to add amenities at Park at Alma Williams; staff also noted a park master plan for that park may be started soon.

Parks staff told the board the fees assessed for the 22-lot preliminary plat are: cash in lieu of land fees of $214,605.32 (about $1,759.06 per lot) and pro rata equipment fees of $183,390.40 (about $1,503.20 per lot), for a combined total of $397,995.72.

The master plat and parks/open-space plan

Staff said the master plat is a single-phase development and that the submitted parks and open-space plan shows private amenities and an interconnected trail system that will connect to the broader Rockwall trail network. Staff recommended approval of the master plat and the parks/open-space plan but noted that proposed sports-court fencing must comply with the Unified Development Code and that the park areas shown are to be privately maintained (the parks and recreation department will have no maintenance responsibility for those private amenities).

Board discussion

Board members asked whether Alma Williams Park sits across from the new ninth-grade center on FM 1141 and discussed potential pedestrian crossings near schools. Staff replied that major crossing treatments are typically evaluated by the city engineer and traffic counts would be used to determine whether additional crossing infrastructure is needed.

Votes at a glance

- Approval of minutes (May 6, 2025): passed 6–0, 1 absent. - Action 2 — Preliminary plat (Erwin Farms, 22 lots): board accepted cash in lieu and pro rata equipment fees totaling $397,995.72; vote passed 6–0, 1 absent. - Action 3 — Master plat and parks/open-space plan (Erwin Farms, 122 lots, single phase): approved; vote passed 6–0, 1 absent.

Clarifying details

- Project acreage: approximately 98.19 acres (portion of Tract 4, JM Gas survey, abstract 88). - Preliminary plat: 22 single-family lots (phase 1) for which park fees were calculated and assessed. - Master plat: ties down timing/phasing per the city’s master plat requirements (referenced in staff comments as subsection 38-7.2.d.2). - Fees: cash-in-lieu $214,605.32 ($1,759.06/lot); pro rata equipment fees $183,390.40 ($1,503.20/lot); total $397,995.72. - Park district: Park District Number 26 and Park at Alma Williams located directly east of the subdivision; staff plans to use funds for amenities at that park.

What the board decided next

With approval of the master plat and preliminary plat the board recorded no conditions beyond the fencing compliance noted by staff and the private maintenance obligation. Staff will assess and collect the fees and proceed with recommended use at Park at Alma Williams.

Ending

Board members said the layout — including linear green space, retention ponds, seating and pickleball courts — should help relieve pressure on nearby parks and connect into the city’s trail network as development proceeds.